Thinking about DVC

[mdoc]

We're starting to think about buying into DVC. I've gotten as far as ordering the DVD. We're still trying to figure out if this makes sense for us. We go to WDW at least once and sometimes twice a year for 7-9 nights. This is always at busy times because the kids are in school. We expect that for a number of years our trips are going to be during spring break week and Thanksgiving week (not the low points times of year). When we stay in a hotel on-site, it's a deluxe (we've stayed at Poly, Contemporary & Wilderness Lodge). However, the last few years we've gone we've stayed at the campground at Fort Wilderness. We'd likely continue to do that for at least one trip a year because we love Fort Wilderness. Financially, we can pay for the points out of pocket and afford the maintenance fees. Our youngest is 7 so I anticipate going to WDW for a number of years yet. My biggest concern is the number of points we'd need to stay at our peak times if we needed to get a 2 bedroom. And it looks like the only place 5 people can stay in a one bedroom is AKL. I'm not sure we'd want to stay at AKL every time. If we were to stay at a hotel/villa instead of the campground we'd probably lean more toward the Epcot area or maybe SSR. So . . . is it the case that AKL is the only resort with a 1 BR that holds 5? And is it difficult to get into the Epcot area resorts if you can only book 7 months out? Thanks for any insight.

 

[Tinkerdreams]

We're starting to think about buying into DVC. I've gotten as far as ordering the DVD. We're still trying to figure out if this makes sense for us. We go to WDW at least once and sometimes twice a year for 7-9 nights. This is always at busy times because the kids are in school. We expect that for a number of years our trips are going to be during spring break week and Thanksgiving week (not the low points times of year). When we stay in a hotel on-site, it's a deluxe (we've stayed at Poly, Contemporary & Wilderness Lodge). However, the last few years we've gone we've stayed at the campground at Fort Wilderness. We'd likely continue to do that for at least one trip a year because we love Fort Wilderness. Financially, we can pay for the points out of pocket and afford the maintenance fees. Our youngest is 7 so I anticipate going to WDW for a number of years yet. My biggest concern is the number of points we'd need to stay at our peak times if we needed to get a 2 bedroom. And it looks like the only place 5 people can stay in a one bedroom is AKL. I'm not sure we'd want to stay at AKL every time. If we were to stay at a hotel/villa instead of the campground we'd probably lean more toward the Epcot area or maybe SSR. So . . . is it the case that AKL is the only resort with a 1 BR that holds 5? And is it difficult to get into the Epcot area resorts if you can only book 7 months out? Thanks for any insight.

Well it certainly sounds as if you are a prime candidate for DVC. If you are going 1 to 2 times a year at peak season AND are staying mostly at deluxes, then it is costing you a small fortune. That is the reason we bought. We go once a year and stay at resorts for 10 days and it was running over $3000 per visit.

We just bought DVC a few weeks ago and in a matter of 5 trips, it will pay for itself.

I would say that a 300 to 400 point investment would give you enough points for a 2BR for peak times. And as you have stated, if you stay at AKV, then you could get away with a 1BR and save on points.

Remember, as the kids get older, your travel habits will also change. As a matter of fact, you might even take the kids out of school on occasion to go and end up going at a "non-peak" time. During the peak times, it will be difficult to get accomodations at the BWV and BCV.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[spatter1234]

I agree with Tinkerdreams about difficulty in getting one of the Epcot resorts during peak season if you have to wait until 7 months out. We own at VWL but rarely stay there. We have been trying to get BCV forever but found it very difficult when calling only 7 months from vacation. We also only go during value season. I think you would LOVE DVC and should buy where you want to primarily stay. Think about a resale if you love the Epcot area. The Timeshare Store will send you emails daily of their new listings. Good luck in making your decision!

 

[epicureangirl]

If you don't have your heart set on staying at AKV, it doesn't sound like a prime candidate for your home resort (if you're only considering it because of the 1 bedroom sleeping 5). The AKV maintenance fees are higher, so you may want to look at the point levels for 2 bedrooms at all the resorts. Some that may be attractive for the point schedule:

AKV: has some standard view 2 bedrooms with lower point schedules (but still high maintenance).
BWV: has standard view which will save on points and get you right near Epcot. You will want home booking advantage here as it is hard to get during peak times.
SSR: has a slightly lower point schedule and very low maintenance fees. SSR should be easier to get into without the 11 month booking advantage (because of the size of the property), so you could likely book at 7 months (if you pick a different home resort).

I only travel with 2 kids, but highly recommend a 2 bedroom for a family trip. It is so nice to have the kids in their own space... especially if they have to go to bed early (maybe your kids are too old though for an early bedtime?). I like having the living room available for some quiet time with my husband -- a two bedroom will spoil you forever!

 

[AKV707]

You definitely sound like a prime DVC candidate. Yes, AKV is the only one with a 1 br that sleeps five. And in the new Kidani building, there are 2 baths in a 1 br. We own at AKV and we love the resort. While it doesn't sound like AKV is for you, I encourage you to look at the AKV model rooms.

You can view the points charts right here on the Dis to get an idea of how many you will need.

You can buy BWV or BCV through resale at the Timeshare Store or through DVC. You just have to be insistent with your guide that they are the only resorts that you are interested in. Just remember that BWV and BCV have a 2042 expiration while SSR has a 2054 and AKV a 2057.

One more AKV point, the maintenance fees are higher at AKV than SSR and OKW, but I don't think that they are the highest.

Good luck with your decision, and to remember the old adage: Buy where you most often would stay, and buy where you want that 11 month window!

 

[spiceycat]

go look at a point chart

Spring break is high season true.

but Thanksgiving is about as low as you can get - the only holiday cheaper is Labor day.

3 days in choice, 2 in magic - on Sun-thurs (leaving on Fri) stays

definitely a better bargin when you own.

the 5 in a 1-bedroom didn't start with DVC - it started with CRO. I think one of the surposes of the AKV 5 in 1-bedroom is to stop CRO from booking 5 guest in a 1-bedroom.

it was only because CRO did this - that DVC members were allowed to do it too.

Now with AKV at 5 in a 1-bedroom. I would think they are probably going to try go back to only 4 in a 1-bedroom at the other DVC resorts.

that say hoping that soon DVC will put the chair bed at OKW. It definitely has the room for it. and would be a good fit.

if you like the Epcot area - would definitely buy at BWV. that standard view is great on saving points.

BWV has the only studio that allows 5. It is called a plus and DVC members could reserve it once. we can't now.

 

[CarolinesMom]

I agree with the other posters. It sounds like you would really benefit from DVC. I spent 2 years researching DVC before we actually purchased. We are so excited about our purchase. If you have any questions, feel free to ask as I am sure I've asked them myself over the 2 yrs of research.

 

[Disney Doll]

You sound like a good candidate.

Somewhere on this website is a points calculator...look under the DVC section.

Put in a fake trip with dates that would coincide with when you'd want to travel next year and see what you come up with as far as how many points would be required for the Thanksgiving-time trip and how many would be required for the spring break trip.

That would tell you about how many points you'd need.

 

[JimMIA]

I don't want to start an occupancy debate here -- there is another thread for that and occupancy discussions are limited to this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=901569

That said, if you go over to that thread, I think you will find that the official occupancy for a one-bedroom is 4 + a <3 year old...HOWEVER...MS will permit 5 in a one bedroom, but will not provide linens for the fifth person. They've allowed that for several years now.

Whether that helps you or not depends. It depends on the ages and sexes of your kids, and a lot of other factors.

There would be no big problem using an inflatable bed in a one-bedroom with your own linens, provided everything else works. Five people will go into a king and a queen sofabed, plus an inflatable bed.

Whether five will go into one bathroom is another question.

I agree with other posters that your family seems to be an ideal fit for DVC. One option would obviously be to buy enough points for one DVC vacation a year and stay at Ft. Wilderness on your other trip.